Tag Archives: Ecotherapy Didsbury

The Beneficial Effects of Ecotherapy More recently researchers have begun to understand what lots of people have known on an instinctive level for millennia: that the natural world can be a very beneficial aid to recovery for our psychological health. Healers have actually long made use of a therapeutic connection with nature in order to treat a large selection of mental and physical conditions. These ancient practices are actually now being rediscovered and have been given the collective name ‘Ecotherapy‘. Ecotherapy is a collective term for various nature-based treatments which use an experiential connection with nature. It’s a relatively new field, but one which has numerous ancient roots, drawing its ideas from both modern and ancient practices, including contemporary psychotherapy, counselling, nature-awareness, mindfulness, meditation, clinical hypnotherapy, NLP, shamanism, and bushcraft to name a few. The term Ecotherapy refers to many different nature-based therapies such as wilderness therapy, equine assisted therapy, pet therapy, horticultural therapy, walking therapy, natural awareness therapy. Our forefathers would have seen very little or no difference between the natural world and themselves; making use of nature to recover and sustain, physically, mentally and spiritually. The sad thing is, contemporary society has become more and more detached from nature. For millennia we existed in a close relationship with the natural world, and were intrinsically connected to the rhythms of our natural environment, a lot so that our demand for a relationship with nature need to live in our extremely genes. It would seem that, in spite of our technological innovations, we are still genetically hard-wired to need to be close to nature and living things. Most people are already familiar with the advantageous mental impacts of just being on a beach, paddling in a stream, or walking in woodlands or mountains. When taking our vacations, this might be why we are commonly drawn to locations of natural beauty. Mankind’s use of nature to enhance physical, spiritual and psychological well-being has been around most likely as long as humans have existed. Numerous researchers now think that psychological problems can emerge due to our disconnection from the natural environment. Our in-built need for a relationship with nature has become interfered with, leaving us unbalanced and open to a range of psychological and emotional troubles. It would appear that there is a strong need for us to re-integrate nature back into our lives to redress the balance. Research has actually shown that just being in green spaces can have considerable advantages on psychological well-being. This can be as simple as spending time gardening, sitting in a neighborhood park, or walking in the countryside. Ecotherapy takes this concept of being in green space further by actively developing and using this instinctive connection, and combining it with contemporary psychotherapeutic processes. Compared with many standard talking therapies, Ecotherapy is typically focused on experiential learning. Participants learn by means of engagement and immersing themselves in the environment and tasks, as well as by talking about and sharing their insights and experiences, thus personal growth can frequently occur without the lengthy conversation frequently associated with many talking therapies. More and more research is now showing that Ecotherapy has a powerful effect on many psychological conditions, including, anxiety, stress, anger, obsession, and depression. It can build self-esteem, inspiration, self-confidence, and improve communication and relationship skills. It can help put your life into perspective, establish self-reliance and imagination, and help you to discover that you can achieve things you never thought feasible. Ecotherapy Related Blog Nigel Magowan Presents His Research into the Potential Effectiveness of Ecotherapy as a Treatment for Anxiety, at the UKCP Research Conference at Regents College, London About the Author Nigel Magowan is a Manchester, UK based Ecotherapist, Accredited Psychotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, NLP Master Practitioner and Life Coach. With over 11 years’ experience practicing psychotherapy, NLP and Hypnotherapy in Manchester and Harley Street. He is one of the first few people in the UK to provide Ecotherapy, which is provided either in weekly sessions, as part of an on-going regular open groups, or as weekend retreats and workshops. Nigel offers outdoor nature-based therapy and coaching for individuals, organizations, and business groups.